Q. What do you mean by Oesophagitis?
We already know that oesophagus is a muscular tube 25 cm in length and basically helps in transporting the food from the mouth to stomach, As the bolus of food is moved voluntarily from the mouth to the pharynx, the upper oesophageal sphincter relaxes, the food enters oesopltagus and subsequently the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes to receive the food bolus. With the help of peristaltic waves, the bolus of food is moved into the stomach.
Oesophagitis occurs in the lower oesophagus as a result of the irritating effect of acidic gastric reflux on the oesophageal mucosa. It cans an acutelchronic inflammation of the oesophageal wall. It is associated with the common symptom of heartburn (burning epigastric substantial pain). Other symptoms are regurgitation and dysphasia (difficulty in swallowing). Difficulty in swallowing occurs due to pain associated with inflammation of the tissues of the oesophagus. Regurgitation of the acidic gastric contents can be cause or result of oesophagitis.